It’s HOT.
![paris-hilton-thats%20hot-shirt[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/parishiltonthats20hotshirt1.jpg "paris-hilton-thats%20hot-shirt[1]")
No it’s not Paris hot. It’s HOT hot! We’re sitting at a 110 degree heat index at the moment, so I figured it was in my best interests to workout in the comfort of my air conditioned living room this afternoon.
I popped in a Yoga DVD…but got bored with it after 5 minutes and had a Barney Butter packet Molly sent me instead! 
I’ve been eating Trader Joe’s & MaraNatha almond butter lately and have forgotten how ridiculously delicious Barney Butter is! I don’t love the fact that it’s got added sugars & oils, but gosh darn it, they sure do taste good. 
Onward! To the most beautiful dinner I’ve had in awhile!
It was almost too pretty to eat. Emphasis on almost.
I made an Italian island-inspired Caprese Salad!
My version is basically the opposite of the traditional Insalata Caprese – invented on the island of Capri, Italy – but gosh darn it, it tasted spectacular!
You see, Insalata Caprese was created as a light summertime lunch using just-picked tomatoes and fresh cow’s milk mozzarella.
Originally it was said to have included a few leaves of arugula and a dash of wild oregano.
The dressing is to only include a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and NO VINEGAR. Never any vinegar!
Well, I’m breakin’ all the rules with my store-bought tomato and mozzarella cheese, sprigs of fresh basil, sprinkle of salt & pepper, and a final flourish of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction! Oh, and a bed of baby spinach!
Best knock-off salad I ever made! 
The cheese was mild and milky, the tomato & basil flavors were the epitome of summertime fresh, and the balsamic reduction brought the whole thing home.
Flavor explosion!
![Display_Shell[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Display_Shell1.gif "Display_Shell[1]")
Ooo that was good – and didn’t weight me down. On second thought, I think I might brave the heat, hop on my bike and take a ride. The heat is more tolerable when you’ve got the blazing hot wind in your hair!
Have a good night!
That is a beautiful salad. I love mediterranean food and this looks like somthing you’d enjoy sitting at a cafe on the streets of venice. Nothing better than a bike ride in the heat after enjoying a delish, light and cool salad!
The fireworks made me smile
I love caprese salads! I make mine similar to yours.
Caprese works well quesadilla style too.
(my recipe is towards the end: http://elizabethlacy.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/itty-bitty-green-beans/ )
What, not big fork worthy? ;-( It sure looks like it!
Beautiful salad! I love a fresh Caprese.
oooh yummo – I love the tomato / mozz / basil combo!
that looks so good! i tried to make my own at home once….it definitely didn’t taste as good as the ones i’ve had in restaurants! i wonder if i need better ingredients!
Ahhh! Delish. I make this often in the summer, too, and ALWAYS order it at Italian restaurants.
Caprese salad is one of my favorite summertime meals. It’s been crazy hot here today too, so we went for a bike ride instead of doing something more strenuous.
I will be making this salad very soon! I have fresh tomatoes and basil in the house they’re just screaming for the mozzarella.
Soooo, you should check out what I just made/posted because it is all down to you!!
that salad is absolutely gorgeous! love the colors
Oh yum.. sometimes rules are meant to be broken
I’m in love with the fork pic – great job!!
Funny–A Caprese salad is the ONLY way I’ll eat raw tomatoes…Otherwise, they need to be cooked before I’ll touch them!
OMG… if it wasn’t almost 11pm I would go and get the stuff to make that salad NOW, I am craving it so bad after seeing your pics!
ohhhh i might have that salad for tea tonight, looks lush! x
I love Caprese salad. Your looks delicious. Enjoy!
Love the fork picture!!
I made the exact thing last weekend after going to the farmer’s market. I bought two boxes of tomatoes, fresh basil, and a ball of mozz from Luca. Put that all on a nice bed of spinach (though i do love arugula) and I also used EVOO AND vinegar
ps. if you ever get sick of your greens for salads, the Baby Herb Salad is to die for (Gateway Market). It’s 3 bucks and you get a ton. Fresh Dill makes me happy.
Happy Wednesday.
When you go to Italy, be sure to get a Caprese sandwich. They are to die for! It’s illegal how good the bread and fresh mozzarella are over there!!
your salad looks delicious! i am a HUGE fan of that combo! i have some tomatoes and basil that i’ve been eating like crazy…no fresh mozzarella…i should pick some up!
[...] salad plate to salad bowl – I made a chopped up version of my Caprese Salad for lunch [...]